Sunday Link Charity #18 – Easter Sunday Edition!

I’d like to start off today’s post by wishing a HAPPY EASTER to all those celebrating. Unlike Christmas that has a fixed date as a holiday, Easter moves around every year. And like any other holiday that we encounter throughout the year, Easter is no different in terms of us spending money. Whether you purchase a cute fluffy tail and don bunny ears or went on a chocolate shopping spree, I’m sure that we all can agree that even despite it’s holiness, Easter does not come cheap. According to an article from LA Times, the average American that celebrated Easter last year spent around $145 on assorted springtime merchandise. That’s up from about $131 at the same time two years ago.

In 2011 consumers nationwide spent $16.8 billion shopping for Easter outfits, shopping spring sales, preparing eggs to be boiled and dyed and yes, ample amounts of sweet tasting chocolate.

This article went on to break down the purchases. And according to the average $145 per consumer spent least year, here’s how it all breaks down:

• $44.34 on an Easter spread (Food)
• $20.57 on gifts
• $10.50 on flowers
• $26.11 a person for clothing
•  $7 on well-wishing (Hallmark cards)
• $20.35 each on confectionery goodies

I’m proud to say that I didn’t spend a single penny on this year’s edition of Easter. This mostly has to do with the fact that I don’t celebrate Easter. However, I did try to shed a little light on Easter with my Friday’s post; Stat Holidays Are The Reason I Want To Strangle The Easter Bunny.

For those of you celebrating Easter – Happy Easter! And for the rest of us, I hope you enjoyed your long weekend. Sucks that we don’t get tomorrow off, but having Friday off was nice too.

For Easter, Americans will spend $16.8 billion — $145.28 each [LA Times]

Before I get off topic any further, here’s this week’s edition of Sunday Link Charity. Enjoy!

BrokeTO – I enjoyed Melissa’s post earlier this week, and what one person will do to save a buck is totally different what another person will do. This is where the inspiration came from for her post called - What will you do to save a buck?

Financial Samurai – Why are stupid people allowed to vote? Why do driving tests exist and marriage tests don’t? There are loaded and for the most part good questions to ask. FS writes a intriguing and interesting post called; Shit is fucked up and bullshit and he highlights some fucked up bullshit things that are going on which need to be addressed and fixed. You may not agree with them all, but definitely a worthwhile read.

Credit Cards Canada – Looking to improve your budget or starting a new budget? Check out these 5 great budgeting tools for Canadians.

Where Does All My Money Go – Canadian government decided that they’ll kill the ‘penny’ in the future. While this may not affect the average person on day to day basis, the killing of the ‘penny’ has an effect on the trading world. The article Bay Street fisticuffs over the penny? looks back at the history on stock trading and how  not having the penny will have an impact on the trading world.

She Bloggs – A good argument on why the budget is not the most effective option and is not the only answer. And the reason why budgeting is overrated.

This week’s inclusions, carnivals and mentions:

PCI – Side Hustler – I’m a cleaning geek.

Yakezie Carnival – Easter Edition

Stupid Cents – Totally Money Blog Carnival #62